Victoria Cattle Handlers Camp - Australian Belted Galloway

Australian Belted
Galloway Associaton
Newsletter March 2012
what’s inside
Scottish Breed feature results
Victorian Cattle handlers Camp
Interview with Trevor & Pam
Join us at the AGM in Tassie
and much more!
1
Paid Life Memberships - Expressions of Interest
One of our councillors has recently proposed
that ABGA reinstate Paid Life Memberships.
Members would have the option, should they
wish, to purchase a life membership of the
Australian Belted Galloway Association Inc.
Once purchased by a member, or prospective
member, Paid Life Membership entitles the
nominated person to avoid paying yearly
membership fees, and it also insulates them
from membership price rises in the future.
Members still need to pay all other costs that
will be incurred through stud operations, such
as, inventory fees, registration fees, transfer fees
etc.
Life members cannot transfer their rights of life
membership to other entities. Councillors are
interested in hearing expressions of interest
from members who would consider purchasing
a Paid Life Membership with the Australian
Belted Galloway Association Inc should it be
reinstated.
If there is enough interest from the wider
membership, council would have to notify
all members of their intention to reinstate life
memberships only. Please contact Aimee
Klabe if you wish to express an interest. Council
would appreciate it if any interested members
notify Aimee by the 10th of April 2012.
Francie MacLean
President
We welcome these new members
Full members
Andrea Tierney
Lytton Grange 290
Grubb Road RSD
Drysdale Victoria 3222
Lyndon Stevenson
Mountain Grove
183 Mountain Grove
Road
Grove Tasmania 7109
David Ziebell
Benden Lodge
2-18 Mundoolun
Road Jimboomba
Queensland 4280
JUNIOR MEMBERS
Samuel Vivian
Baltimore
23 Rundle Road Cowirra
South Australia 5238
Mark & Sue Menkens
Pattinem Park
171 Burgum Road
Maleny Queensland
4552
Front cover /Inside Cover - Figtree Belted Galloway Stud NSW Central Coast
The Australian Belted Galloway Association Inc
Our new telephone number is: Aimee - 02 67 733 243
Our new address: Australian Belted Galloway Association Agricultural
Business Research Institute University of New England Armidale NSW 2351
Our new email address: [email protected]
Website - Click on link: www.beltedgalloway.org.au
Disclaimer: Opinions in this publication may or may not be the opinions of the Australian Belted Galloway Association Inc, or of its members. Information published is of a general nature
2 appropriate sources. Individual copyright of contributed articles remains with each author.
only and offered in good faith. Readers are advised to rely on their own enquiries and seek further
Visit Beautiful Tasmania
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Australian Belted Galloway Association Inc
JULY 27th – 28th 2012
The Old Woolstores Hobart Tasmania
Well it’s time to start your planning for the next Australian Belted Galloway Association Annual General Meeting and
Forum, this year to be held in Hobart.
Friday evening the 27th July is the last meeting day for current standing ABGA councilors; this meeting is for
council members only. Council generally meets up with members for an informal dinner around 7.oopm, venue to
be advised.
Saturday the 28th July starts with the Forum this will be held at 11am at Old Woolstores, for all members and
interested breeders. Join us for Morning tea at 10.30am followed by the ABGA forum then the AGM will be held after
lunch.
Morning tea will be supplied by the Association, but lunch will be at members own expense at $18.50 per person.
An informal dinner will be held on the Saturday evening the 28th in a private function room at the Old Woolstores, all
interest members and family are warmly invited. Numbers will be taken for that event closer to the date.
On Sunday the 29th, several Tasmanian ABGA breeders will be opening their farms for people to see their lovely
Belted Galloway cattle. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to visit.
Now the details:
The Forum and AGM will be held at the Old Woolstores, 1 Macquarie Street Hobart. The Old Woolstores has given the
Association a special deal of $149.00 per room for two people, an additional $40 for an extra person, this is for 12
rooms only, and $165.00 for an apartment (one queen bed only). These rooms will only be held until the 27th June,
after that you take pot luck.
When booking a room, PLEASE ensure you advise that you are attending the Belted Galloway Meeting to access the
discounted rates.
The Old Woolstores contact details are: 0262355355 or [email protected]
Please be aware there is NO PARKING at the Old Woolstores, but there is a public car park across the road.
3
Figtree Park
T
he Coffey family shares their experience
of starting their Belted Galloway stud in
the beautiful Yarramalong Valley. They
are excellent contributors of photos for our
newsletters. Belted Galloway breeders are
always keen to hear how studs start and
compare the journeys of individual herds. It is
important to profile different studs as it assists
members to network.
stands in the centre of the main paddock. Figtree
Park has been a cattle property and fruit orchard
for over 100 years. All our paddocks have excellent
soils and have been pasture improved. We also
enjoy a plentiful annual rainfall of over 1200mm (48
inches).
Figtree Park Belted Galloway Stud is nestled in the
picturesque pastures of the Yarramalong Valley on
the NSW Central Coast. We are a small stud with
an aim to produce quality stock that are structurally
correct, fertile and display good temperaments.
We run a small selection of 20 Belted Galloways
comprising mainly stud cattle, based on imported
blood lines and we have some commercial Belted
Galloways.
The Coffey Family established Figtree Park in 2009.
The property was named after an enormous Fig
tree planted by early pioneers in the 1880’s that
4
Our foundation herd was acquired from New
England Belted Galloway Stud, Tamworth they were
a selection of stock from varied historic bloodlines.
We have produced some outstanding results
using Apriash Delaware. This year we have chosen
Clanfingon Limelight a South Australian AI sire and
we are excited to see what the future holds.
Starting our stud came with a few challenges, our
creek fences were not as stock proof as we had first
thought and the Belties love of water became quite
apparent. On the first day after their arrival we
went out to view our cattle on Mother’s Day, only to
find a vacant paddock with no cattle in sight.
Last year our eldest daughter Georgia (12) and
our friend Tim Eyes showed two of our heifers at
Maitland and Newcastle Ag shows. Georgia also
paraded one of our heifers New England Devine
in the all breeds heifer class at Maitland show.
Georgia like our youngest Alexa (10) have shown
horses and found the transition to showing the
heifers quite easy and exciting, this is a reflection
of the breeds easy temperament. Figtree Park now
has calves bearing our stud name that we hope to
show in 2013.
It is probably quite embarrassing to reveal this
but our cattle firstly, crossed the creek then split
into a couple of mobs and took up residence
in the dense state forest comprising of 18,000
hectares. Perhaps they were on their way back to
New England like stray cats! Now anyone having
just a little understanding of the terrain of the
National Parks will sympathize with our unfortunate
predicament.
Please feel free to visit if you are in our district.
Shaun, Sherine, Georgia & Alexa Coffey
It took us 3 days and only a few family squabbles,
particularly over the lack of a relaxing Mothers Day
for Sherine, that said it provided a good cardio
workout for us all. With the assistance of a local
man on horseback, we were finally able to bring
our cattle home. Consequently the creek fencing
was upgraded immediately and we have not had
another potential disaster.
We are learning all the time what works for our stud
and we decided some time ago that maintaining
a bull was not an option for our stud. Aside from
management issues with a bull we believed it could
be quite limiting genetically. Artificial Insemination
has provided us with greater flexibility and sire
choice.
We are currently engaged in an Artificial
Insemination program to further broaden our
genetic base. We firstly utilised the services of our
vet who we were very pleased with, but now we
have engaged a company from Maitland who
allow us to be included in the program. We inject
our females and they do the actual AI procedure
at the end, thereby lowering our costs, we also
feel that we are learning and having input into the
whole process.
5
2012 Royal Canberra Cattle Show
Scottish Feature Breed Show
The conditions were very hot for both the exhibitors and
the animals at Canberra Royal in February 2012. The
judging took place outside in the middle of the day
testing everyone’s endurance. There was a modest turn
out of Belted Galloway Cattle, with 9 Belted Galloway’s
representing the breeding of 7 Belted Galloway stud
bloodlines. Those exhibitors were Sassafras Stud NSW,
Jalaway Stud VIC, Minto Stud ACT and Eagle Ridge Stud
VIC (miniature) exhibited as part of the Scottish Feature
Breed.
her new purchasers, John and Pam Ford of Windcrest
Belted Galloway Stud.
Alex Vardy also made the trek up from Victoria, claiming
Junior Miniature bull with Budawang Freedi, a smart
young bull bred by Bob Maddern, Budawang Belted
Galloway stud. Sassafras Belted Galloway studs young
enthusiastic exhibitors, Jason and Kimberley Astbury from
the central coast of NSW also made the trip with young
Kate and new born baby Riley in tow. Kimberley had her
work cut out for herself juggling babies and parading,
but with the support of Jason and other exhibitors,
Kimberly managed.
Scottish breeds were well represented with the Angus,
Highland, Galloway and Belted Galloway cattle judged
in their own breed class, the only exception being the
miniature Galloway’s and Belted Galloway’s. These
breeds have traditionally been judged together at
Canberra.
Greg and Chris Stuart’s Minto Stud exhibited their two
Tasmainian cows from the Marananga herd, Marananga
Esma taking out senior female.
Mr Alastair Rayner, Beef Officer, with Industry & Investment
NSW, Tamworth, was the judge presiding for the day.
Alastair is knowledgeable with both the Belted Galloway
and Galloway breeds; he is a highly respected beef
judge.
Long standing Bathurst breeders John and Kate
Blackwood drove to Canberra to offer support on the
day and see their heifer Ashrose Donna in the ring.
Breeders had a great time, with excellent comradely
and willingness to help each other. Some of the
exhibitors are doing it all over again in Sydney on Easter
Friday at 12.30pm.
Alastair was looking for cattle with commercial beef
attributes that are structurally sound, with a moderate
maturity pattern and they must display good weight
for age that would meet the markets specifications of
today.
Francie MacLean
NSW Councilor
Grand champions representing each breed, both male
and female, competed in the interbreed. The Supreme
Galloway exhibit Southern Cross El Toro, was awarded
Champion Beef Breed Bull. El Toro is a magnificent black
Galloway bull, owned and exhibited by the Malcolm
Family, ‘Glenburn Station’ Victoria. El Toro was superbly
presented by Daryl Bjorksten, stud master at Glenburn
Station. The Malcom family will also be exhibiting
Galloway’s for the first time at this years Sydney Royal.
Supreme Angus exhibit, Hollywood Diamonds R Forever
D12, a handsome, highly competitive Angus Cow
with a big calf at foot proved stiff competition for the
Galloway bull, and the female carried off the top award
for Canberra Royals overall Champion of Champions for
2012.
Alison Hilli of Jalaway Stud in Victoria, certainly clocked
up the kilometers to attend with her Belted Galloways
on board, arriving at the horrible hour of 2.45am!!! Now
that’s dedication. She was not to be left disappointed
on the day taking out Supreme Exhibit in the Belted
Galloway section with her smart young heifer Jalaway
Bella Firefly. Congratulations Alison.
Firefly has now relocated to the Hunter district of NSW with
Supreme Galloway exhibit Southern Cross El Toro
6
2012 Royal Canberra Cattle Show
Scottish Feature Breed Show
The Scottish Breeds are noted for their ease of breeding along with a strong and hardy disposition.
They are generally able to produce beef at a reasonable gross margin from inhospitable land …
perfect for Australia!
BELTED GALLOWAYS
Bull, over 8 months & not over 12 months - 1st Marananga Glenn Sassafras Belted Galloway Stud
2nd Cumbria Branthwaite Hail Jalaway Belted Galloway Stud
Junior Champion Bull
Res Junior Champion Bull
Marananga Glenn
Cumbria Branthwaite Hail
Grand Champion Bull
Marananga Glenn
Heifer, 16 months and not over 18 months -1st Jalaway Fairy Girl Jalaway Belted Galloway Stud
Heifer, 18 months and not over 20 months -1st Jalaway Bella Firefly Jalaway Belted Galloway Stud
Junior Champion Female
Res Junior Female Champion
Cow, 30 months and over -
Jalaway Bella Firefly
Jalaway Fairy Girl
1st Marananga Esme G N Stuart
2nd Marananga Duff G N Stuart
3rd Bellandean Fiona Jalaway Belted Galloway Stud
4th Ashrose Donna Sassafras Belted Galloway Stud
5th Peppercorn Emily Kate Sassafras Belted Galloway Stud
Senior Champion Female
Marananga Esme
Res Senior Champion Female
Marananga Duff
Grand champion Female
Jalaway Bella Firefly
Breeders Group
Jalaway Belted Galloway Stud
Supreme Champion of the Breed Jalaway Bella Firefly
7
2012 Royal Canberra Cattle Show
Scottish Feature Breed Show
Miniature Galloway and Belted Galloway results
Junior Champion Female – Gunadoo Highland Lass – ME Kidd
Reserve Junior Champion Female – DMB Faith – D Burgess
Senior Champion Female – Boma Nutty Bub – RW & ME Kidd
Reserve Senior Champion Female – Boma Snuggle Pie – RW & ME Kidd
Grand Champion Female - Boma Nutty Bub – RW & ME Kidd
Junior Champion Bull – Budawang Freddi – Alex Vardy
Reserve Junior Champion Bull – Coorumbene Fudge – B & P Venton
Junior Champion Minature Bull
Senior Champion Bull - Glenayr Cassanova – B & P Venton
Canberra Royal Show 2012
Budawang Freddi
Reserve Senior Champion Bull – Gunadoo Yea George – RW & ME Kidd
Grand Champion Bull – Glenayr Cassanova – B & P Venton
Supreme Champion Miniature Galloway Exhibit - Glenayr Cassanova – B & P Venton
NSW Royal Show days!
Herd Inventories
Sydney Royal Show 2012
Your herd inventories are due by the 31st
March 2012.
Open steer judging day Thurs 5th April from 9.30am
Bathurst Royal Show 2012
Why are they important? The stud cattle numbers you
submit to the association dictate how many councillors
represent your state on council. Make sure your state
has representation. State promotional budgets are set
according to the cattle numbers submitted before the
31st March. Help our association grow, have a state voice
on council and please submit to Aimee at ABRI your
inventory forms. If you have mislaid your form or do not
understand how to fill out the form please call Aimee our
Registrar 026773 3243 or [email protected]
Judging day Friday 27th April 9am
Agricultural Business Research Institute
Entries close 6th April 2012 Show office 02 6331317
University of New England
or contact Andrew Monaghan 02 9807 2063 your
ARMIDALE NSW 2351
Steer Auction Thursday 5th April late in the afternoon
Stud Belted Galloway judging day Good Friday 6th April
12.30pm
Cattle office 02 97041159
www.sydneyroyal.com.au
ABGA contact for Bathurst Royal
www.bathurstshow.com.au
Please come along and support the breeders!
8
Queensland Report
Darren Rackley, Yelkcar Belted Galloway Stud
hasn’t set foot in a show ring with cattle since
he had significantly more hair, it appears his
knowledge has all but evaporated over time, but
he now has started to establish his Belted Galloway
herd. He has proceeded with his show preparation
with the help of his father, Darren’s father was
enlisted to make Darren look good. Many fellow
breeders are helping him with encouragement
and tips, also provided in the spirit of making him
look good.
Beltie Heifer Yelkcar Gina, 7 month old heifer by Kilworth
Dougal J, learning the ropes along with the handler
(15 years since I last showed cattle)
Note to self: don’t overstretch the heifer or you will make
her look like a Daschund !!
Darren has research different feeding formulas
and found one that has worked. Darren (in his
gum boots) and his wife Veronica are coming
down to Sydney Royal for the judging on Good
Friday to see what he’ll be in for when he has
his own show days, (see below). Next newsletter
Darren will write about his experiences, apparently,
he has started the journal and has the heading
in place, but it appears prior to this edition of the
newsletter going to print he has had a case of
writers block, I have his first draft! ‘The Trembles’ It
was a dark and stormy night..........
Francie MacLean
Yelkcar Belted Gallaway Stud will be exhibiting
at the following shows in South East Queensland
Steer Beltie / Charolais / Murray Grey X Steer “Yelkcar
McAngus” 7 month old steer showing off, this steer is
the most naturally flamboyant poser I have ever seen.
Beltie Bull Cassaglen Energiser, Senior Sire at Yelkcar
Belted Galloways, Rosewood QLD
‘Getting a refresher course in Manners for this year’s
South East Queensland Show Circuit’
9
27- 28 April
18 - 20 May
1 - 2 June
22 - 23 June
7 - 8 July
20 - 21 July
Marburg
Ipswich
Lowood
Rosewood
Laidley
Gatton
Victorian Report
Beef Cattle
Handlers Camp
Sponsors:
The 2012 Cattle Handlers Camp will be held from
Tuesday the 10th to Friday the 13th July.
This non-profit event would not be possible without the
dedicated financial support from our sponsors. If you are
interested in sponsoring this event, then please contact
the Secretary on (03) 9281 7412.
Everyone is welcome from 8 YEARS TO 70 YEARS
or any State in Australia.
Last year’s camp was the best yet, and we look forward
to welcoming everyone to the informative training Camp
again in 2012. Planning has already started, and if you
would like to receive an entry form once entries open,
please email [email protected]
For further information, please contact: Carol Mazurek,
Handlers Camp Administrator
Phone 03 9281 7407 or
To stay up-to-date with all the latest camp information,
join the Stud Beef Victoria Cattle Handlers Camp
Facebook page.
Email: [email protected]
What happens at the Camp?
The Camp was started in 1988 by Stud Beef Victoria at
the Melbourne Showground’s to ensure that the next
generation of stud grooms are properly educated in the
necessary skills and responsibilities of stud grooming.
Proudly sponsored by: Participants of all ages are instructed on many different
aspects such as how to make halters and straw beds,
how to wash, groom, clip and generally make their
cattle look their best for the show ring, all in a fun and
caring environment.
The Camp includes a Handlers Competition and
a Cattle Show, where participants learn about the
commercial world of cattle breeding and showing.
The camp is fully supervised by the Stud Beef Victoria
Committee members, participants from all age groups,
backgrounds and differing skill levels are encouraged to
attend.
10
Tyrendarra Show
By Rachel Alexander, Windon Park Belted Galloways
The 95th annual Tyrendarra show was held on the 11th of February and there
was a great turn out considering the weather which was wet and windy. Cattle
numbers were up from last year with my two Beltie heifers, Monoora Park Flossie
and Manoora Park Rachel bred by Bill and Alison Virtue, there were also eight
Angus, two Limousins, two Low lines, two Square Meters and a Hereford bull on
display.
The belties were put in a class of their own so I ended up with my first
“Champion Belted Galloway female”.
The judges Andrew Lyons and Jordy Elliot commented on the consistency
of the Galloway breed as always having a great capacity and also looking
great in the ring.
The Squaremeters came in first in the ‘best pair of animals’
class, followed by the Belted Galloways in second and
Limousins in third.
In the junior judging, and handling classes, I was awarded
second and third, which I was very happy with.
Overall it was a fantastic day and considering it was both
heifers’ first show and also my first show taking my own
cattle, they did a great job and I’m already looking forward
to next year.
Tri- Coloured calf
This heifer is from fully registered A grade parents, from imported genetics on both sides, New Zealand, UK, USA and
Canada. She is carrying dun, red and black genes.
She has lighter dun colouring around her dun nose, and
lighter dun on the face, with a darker dun body. The
belt clearly goes all the way round; it is just two toned –
white and red.
Add to this, the hair on her belt is rather curly in the
coloured area, but straight in the white part.
So is she an A grade or B grade ??
Should the breeder breed with this heifer??
What coloured calf is she likely to produce??
Will she produce the same belt colour pattern??
All feedback welcomed, please contact either Judy
McKinnon [email protected] or Kerry
Heazlewood [email protected]
This very unusually marked Belted Galloway Heifer
was born in 2011.
11
21 Questions
Glenmerritt & Forest Brow
Belted Galloway Studs
Kerry Heazlewood Pine Gully Park, sits down to
ask Belted Galloway breeders, Trevor Campbell
of Glenmerritt Belted Galloways and Anne (Pam)
Edwards of Forest Brow Belties – cousins who jointly
own a farm in beautiful Boolara, Victoria, ‘Twenty
One Questions’ is about how they started in Belted
Galloways.
Favorite
coat colour?
Trevor – BLACK AND WHITE, there is only one colour
choice
Anne – Same as Trevor, but would like to own a
Cherry Red Beltie
How long have you been farming?
Trevor – 17 years with my own cattle, but I spent a
huge amount of time on my Aunt’s dairy farm.
Anne – 15 years with my own cattle, but I grew up
on my Grandmother’s dairy farm.
Favorite Animal?
Trevor – Midfern York, would do anything for you
Anne – Glenmerritt Virtue
Best achievement?
Trevor – Supreme Champion at Melbourne Royal
with Midfern Wishing
Anne – Second to Ashleigh Michael with Forest Brow
Yesterday
Why Belted Galloways?
Trevor – I saw Belted Galloways in New Zealand and
liked the eye appeal; I thought they would be a
better return than vealers and most importantly, they
were polled
Anne - To keep the peace with Trevor. I had been
running Angus cattle, but I also converted because
of the superb temperament.
How many head do you run?
Trevor & Anne – 96 Belted Galloways and Murray
Greys
How did your stud name come about?
Trevor – Glenmerrit is a combination of Glen from
Scotland and Merritt was my Dad’s Christian name.
Anne – Forest Brow is the name of the Campbell
(my Grand-mother’s maiden name) Family farm,
they were one of the first families in Kurrajong in
Victoria.
What age do you steer the bull calves?
Trevor & Anne– Whatever weekend we can get to
them…. And sometimes whenever the testicles
drop……..
What age do you wean?
Trevor & Anne – 9 months and as late as 12 months
What was the first stud animal you purchased or
registered?
Trevor – Midfern Wishing
Anne - Glenmerritt Virtue
Oldest cow, oldest bull?
Trevor – Glenmerritt York – 18 years, Glenmerritt
Moonstruck 8 years
Anne – Glenmerritt Virtue
Why did you join the ABGA?
Trevor – The breeders were so lovely, so helpful; in
keeping with the wonderful temperament of the
bred. Breeders like Stan Robinson, Allen Snaith, Rick
Cruff and Ashleigh Michael – who were so helpful to
me at my first visit to Melbourne Royal Show.
Anne – Peer pressure from Trevor
Where do you sell your animals?
Trevor & Anne – Mainly privately
What is your water source?
Trevor & Anne – Spring fed dam, creek and farm
storage dams
Do you supplementary feed?
Trevor & Anne – Only hay in winter
Which do you prefer – stud or commercial?
Trevor – No preference, but tending more towards
commercial
Anne – as above
12
21 Questions
Glenmerritt & Forest Brow
Belted Galloway Studs
Type of pasture?
Trevor & Anne - In the process of pasture
renovation, so a bit of everything.
Draw backs of being involved in cattle?
Trevor – Vet costs and the disappointment of not
having stock for sale when buyers contact you,
and the disappointment of mis-markings within the
breed!.
Anne – Paid work getting in the way of farm jobs
Best piece
of advice?
Trevor – Keep friendly with the local Vet and
when you find a good contractor – look after them.
Anne – Don’t bred heifers too early
What do you enjoy about being a breeder?
Trevor – The people, the nicest group of people I
have ever come across in the ABGA
Anne – It’s in the blood
Favourite cut of meat?
Trevor – Eye fillet
Anne – Anything anyone else cooks for me
If you have a story to tell about your stud please let us know, we always like to hear from Belted
Galloway breeders.
Pam Edwards
Forest Brow Stud
With Apriash Encore
Trevor Campbell
Glenmerritt Stud
Apriash Belted Galloway Stud Victoria
13
Life member Australian Belted Galloway Association
John Raymond Paterson
Howgill Farm Allans Flat Victoria
2nd January 2012
Our association has had a lovely letter from John’s wife Susan, John was know to many of our breeders, here
is her letter.
Dear breeders I am writing to let you know that my husband John passed away on the 2nd January. John
was a life member of the Australian Belted Galloway Association. John was always interested in the Belted
Galloway breed although he had not had any Belties for many years. He was always interested to hear news of
their success and growth as a breed. He would want me to wish every success to the Belted Galloway breeders
in the future.
Yours most sincerely
Susan Paterson
It is with great sadness that the Australian Belted Galloway Association learned of the passing of Mr John
Patterson.
John was an early member of the Association and formed CPR stud with Ian Roper and Theo Charles
Jones. CPR Stud started with stock from very old Australian studs including Uganda, Pine Hill, Brookfield
and Summerlea. I purchased my first stud cows from CPR Stud in 1985. I have very fond memories of John
who was always very jovial, very helpful and a very good cattle man. Cattle from John’s Stud were sold to
many studs in Australia either as foundation stock or to improve the quality of their herds. When CPR Stud
dispersed Longfield Stud purchased all of their stock.
John was on the committee of the Australian Belted Galloway Association for many years. He also served
as president and past president.
John will be remembered with great affection by all those who knew him.
The Association extends its deepest sympathies to his widow Sue and their four boys, Hunter, Harvey, Hamish
and Hugh and their families.
Ian Marjason
Longfield Belted Galloway Stud
14
Ballarat Rural Lifestyle Expo 2012
The very first lifestyle expo for Ballarat will include
Belted Galloway Cattle, the expo is to be held on
the 31st March 2012.
Small farm trends will be showcased at the
inaugural Weekly Times Rural Lifestyle Expo in
Ballarat, the expo will focus on hobby farmers,
tree-changers, organic produce and small-scale
farming techniques.
Well know breeders, Stan and Lorna Robinson
of Cumbria Belted Galloway Stud, and Di and
Cameron Woolfe,of Wilkamdai stud will have
Belted Galloways on display.
Ballarat Pastoral Society director Gerard Ballinger
said ‘The expo aimed to exhibit sustainability, small
and alternative livestock breeds, horticulture and
viticulture, machinery, buildings and small-scale
farming techniques’.
All three colours will be displayed, with Wilkamdai
having Mini Belties and Cumbria standard sized
Belties.
‘Visitors can learn more about animal health, land
management, sustainable energy, farm machinery,
alternative breeds, composting, growing organic
vegetables, improving pastures and fencing,’ Mr
Ballinger said.
The Weekly Times is the major sponsor for this event,
but many other companies have joined as well.
A huge amount of interest has been generated
in the district, on what is hoped to become a
yearly event. Over 150 stalls will be featured at the
showground’s.
‘We wanted to conduct an event to focus on those
smaller landholders and those who are looking for a
change of lifestyle’.
For further details
contact Stan Robinson 03 5349 7321
“We think there is a shift to smaller, hobby farms
rather than large ones of late.”
The Weekly Times Rural Lifestyle Expo
Saturday 31st March 2012 - 9.30am
to 5pm.
Adults $5.00, children under 15 years
free.
The Expo will be held at the Ballarat
Showground’s, which is located on
the corner of Howitt Street & Creswick
Roads, Ballarat.
Photo courtesy the Weekly Times
15
South
Australia
Dung Beetles
Last September Tony and Joanne Kreher from Bonnibelt Belted Galloway
stud located at Murray Bridge, in South Australia were contacted by
David Millar from Grassroots magazine, it is Australia’s most popular
self-sufficiency magazine. David wanted to do an article on their stud for
the October/November 2011 issue. David learnt what they were doing
regarding their Belted Galloway breeding program and their direct beef marketing,
also of great interest to the magazines readers is the Bio-organic farming principles that they have applied on
their farm. Here Joanne introduces the story.
Tony and I were quite honoured to be given an opportunity to promote Belted Galloways Australia wide, especially to a difference
audience. Tony had taken the initial phone call from David Millar and gave him some basic information and a time was made for
a more extensive phone conversation with me, however, on the day David’s recorder had broken, I said to make it at another time
after he had purchased himself a new recorder, thus saving his writing fingers. What I didn’t realise, however, was that when he did
call back, it was the day before the magazine was going to the publisher and therefore, to my disappointment I did not get the
opportunity to proofread the article. As a result, I believe the article doesn’t flow as well as it could have and ‘Belted’ is missing from
in front of Galloway regularly throughout the article, however, the photos paint the picture and overall, as my mother says “It is still
a good read”.
What took us by surprise was that David and his colleagues made us the feature article and put us on the front page!
Overall with the response that was received, the article was well liked despite my initial disappointment in how it read. We had
enquires from varying parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia regarding questions
such as:
•
general information to see if the Belties will suit their area
•
Where can they get Belties from – cows, heifers, bulls? Semen and embryos
•
what can they expect to pay for cattle
•
can I come and do some work experience
•
And more personally, if we can supply them with beef.
I had passed on to all enquirers the local contacts and hope they did
get in touch with all the relevant breeders. I also had to do my own
research to be able to answer some of the questions the callers were
asking that I hadn’t even thought of. So I did my research and then got
back to them. Some of those questions were:
•
“Can you make cheese from their milk?”
•
“Where can I buy a bull from in Western Australia”
There is no direct web page to the Grassroots magazine for one to go to
read the full article but our web master has put it up on our site so if you
haven’t read it and would like to, please click on this link
www.bonniebeltstud.com.au
16
Year Tattooing
2009 - E
2010 - F
2011 - G
2012 - H
2013 - J ( I not being used )
What’s happening!
Where are the Agricutural Shows and Fields in your state
March to September 2012
VICTORIA
Lardner Field Days
Bunyip Show
Ballarat Rural Expo
22 - 25 March
31 March
31 March
Melbourne Royal
22 September
Ballarat is an ABGA & AGA funded site at the Ballarat Rural Expo, belted Galloway’s will be on display, from Cumbria &
Wilkamdai Studs, members and friends are invited to assist in promoting the breed if they have any time.
QUEENSLAND
Toowoomba Royal Show
Ekka Brisbane Royal
Toowoomba Ag Fest
29 - 31 March
9 - 18 August
5 – 7 June
Members and friends are supporting an ABGA funded site at Toowoomba Agfest, Belted Galloway will be on display, if
you can help at the field day please contact Philippa Goninan - [email protected]
You can
advertise in this
space for
$100 per year,
contact Aimee at
Send your classified sales ad details & photos to
[email protected]
Its a free service for ABGA financial members only.
Ads will be placed on the website for a 3 month term.
[email protected]
17
Dear Members
I hope you enjoy the March newsletter!
This newsletter is a success but it is slightly disappointing that we did not obtain more voluntary
contributions from members. Your contribution can be as large or as small as you wish, maybe you are
able to take some photos of your cattle, maybe you have an interesting story about your experience
in ABGA, it is all a valuable contribution. It would be excellent if we were able to have stud profiles as a
regular feature in our newsletters. It is always interesting to learn something about our fellow breeders.
Some members have expressed an interest in another breed magazine publication. ABGA councillors
would certainly support another magazine, but as this is quite a large project to undertake, those who do
the work would need to have some expressions of interest from members committing to supply editorial
content.
Breed magazines take many hours of work to compile, edit and complete. ABGA is a small association,
and council realise that the magazine is an important marketing tool; however, I am proposing that the
next magazine be an informational tool that can be used to promote the breed at shows, in enquiry kits
etc. We would remove the bulk of pure stud promotions and focus on breed information for those people
enquiring who have not previously been exposed to the breed. The articles would encompass animal
health, breed information and breeder profiles that will engage and educate the reader. Removing stud
advertising would require the magazine to be wholly funded by ABGA funds; however ABGA would have a
promotional tool with a longer relevant life.
We could then focus largely on stud promotions, and show results through the newsletters and have
up to date information through the year. These newsletters are sent out with any magazine and can
be downloaded from the associations website and I also believe that this would be a better marketing
strategy for studs as 4 newsletters are produced each year and promotion can be varied each time to
maximise exposure.
What would we need to ensure that newsletter publications are successful?
•
More motivated contributors
•
Members with skills in writing and editing
•
Marketing the advertising content that is required to fund the newsletter
I am certainly happy to contribute and I enjoyed working on the 2009/2010 Breeders Guide and our
previous newsletters. We would need a small team of members who are dedicated to pull this together, to
work cohesively together, and we can delegate the workload into people’s area of expertise. Let me know
if you are interested in becoming involved in another breed publication.
Our 2012 AGM is to be held in Hobart Tasmania, we have a number of breeders in Tasmania, Jodie &
Phillip Horton have offered their stud ‘Heather Field’ in Sorell as a meeting place for the Sunday, there are
other breeders who are willing to open their stud so please support our friends in Tasmania. Our registrar
from ABRI Aimee will be attending and I know many amongst you will be keen to meet with her.
I would like to also take this opportunity to thank Kerry (Heazlewood) for her continued tireless work for
ABGA and the breed, not only in her home state of Victoria, but her generous support with this newsletter.
Kerry has also pulled together the venue for our AGM in Tasmania along with contacting various breeders
within that state. Kerry stepped down from council at the last election in 2011 to take a break, but she has
continued to support Victorian councillor Stan Robinson where possible and she has also helped others on
council. Thank you Kerry!
ABGA look forward to our members continued support
Francie MacLean
President ABGA
18